Algeria create dual Under-17 pathway as Ziani takes charge of 2027 hopefuls

Algeria have appointed former international playmaker Karim Ziani to lead a second Under-17 national team, creating an unusual arrangement as the country prepares for two separate age-group campaigns.

Amine Ghimouz will continue working with Algeria’s current Under-17 squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, while Ziani takes charge of the next group of players. That team is made up of footballers currently eligible for the Under-16 age category and will target qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 tournament.

The new side will face its first major test at the UNAF tournament in Tunisia later this month. Algeria will play Libya on 26 September, Tunisia on 29 September and Egypt on 2 October.

Three of the four participating nations will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 competition.

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said the squad had been assembled “il y a pres d’une annee” to prepare for the qualifying campaign. The decision reflects the different timelines facing Algeria’s youth teams: the current Under-17 players will be focused on their World Cup campaign in November, but will no longer form the eligible generation for the following continental tournament.

Ziani has already begun his work with the group, having overseen a training camp from 3 to 8 September.

One notable feature of his first squad is that all 24 players play for clubs in Algeria. Paradou AC provide the largest contingent, with Iyad Domaz, Abdelkader Abdellah, Walid Semghoun and Yacine Abad included.

USM Alger and MC Oran each have three representatives. MC Alger, ES Setif, CR Belouizdad, JS El Biar, O Akbou and WA Tlemcen also contribute players to the initial squad.

The domestic focus gives the FAF the opportunity to monitor the country’s young talent closely before considering whether to widen the group.

Ziani’s appointment is part of a broader change in the way Algeria’s national teams are being staffed. A number of former internationals from the 2000s and 2010s are now moving into coaching and management roles across the youth setup.

Rafik Saifi is in charge of the Under-23 team, while Brahim Hemdani has recently taken over the Under-20 side. Hemdani previously led Algeria to victory at the Mediterranean Games with the Under-21 team and is now being tipped to join the senior national team alongside Anthar Yahia.

The development means several familiar figures from Algeria’s recent football history are beginning to work on the other side of the touchline. Ziani and Yahia were key names for the national team during their playing careers, while Saifi and Hemdani were also established internationals.

For supporters who remember seeing those players represent the Fennecs, the appointment of a new generation of coaches marks a clear changing of the guard.